Bocheonism
| Bocheonism | |
| Hangul | 보천교 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 普天敎 |
| Revised Romanization | Bocheon-gyo |
| McCune–Reischauer | Poch'ŏn-gyo |
Bocheonism (Korean: 보천교 Bocheongyo or Pochonkyo, "religion of the vault of heaven/firmament") is a religion of Korea, rooted in Korean shamanism.[1] It was founded by Cha Gyeong-seok on Ibam Mountain in Daeheung-ri, Ibam-myeon, Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, in the year 1911. Today this site is part of Naejangsan National Park.
Cha Gyeong-seok was originally a Donghak (Cheondoist) priest, who converted to Jeung San Do after meeting Gang Il-Sun. After Gang's death in 1909, Cha established his own separate faith. Cha prophesied that the unification of the world would take place beginning in Korea. The name "Bocheonism" was not adopted until 1921, at a great ritual held in Hamyang County, Gyeongsangnam-do.
During the Japanese occupation, Bocheon-gyo may have claimed as many as 6 million followers, including leading activists in the Korean independence movements. Today its followers are much fewer. Bocheonism is credited with encouraging local culture in the Jeongeup region, including the pungmulgut performance tradition.
See also
Sources
- Kim Jaeyoung. Bocheongyo and Religions of Korea. Shin Achulpansa, 2010. Korean language only. ISBN 8959257052
- Lee Chi-ran. Chief Director, Haedong Younghan Academy. The Emergence of National Religions in Korea.
References
- ↑ Lee Chi-ran, p. 24